C. S. Lewis made some comment in one of his books that he suspected that the prostitute is closer to heaven than the holier than thou prim and propper relilgious busibody.
I've read repeated confirmations of that from personal experiences of a host of diverse people from all walks of life and across the globe.
Say what you will about Roland Buck and his ANGELS ON ASSIGNMENT, it still strengthened my walk with Jesus.
And he noted that when he visited the Throne Room in Heaven where God Almighty was--and I guess--where only those of sufficient--something--holiness, I guess--are evidently allowed--at least at that moment--Roland saw many prostitutes in the Throne Room but not a single religious leader and certainly not a single pharisee.
Rings true to my observations about RELIGIOUS life and those addicted to the form instead of in love with The Substance.
Thanks.
I'd definitely have to see an exact quote and source to believe that..
I tend to agree, if you're speaking time-wise. The prostitute is more likely to feel the physical effects of her sins, therefore realizing her lostness, and repenting. NO guarantees. as far as I recall he said she 'may very well be closer.'
I know I'm backtracking.
http://www.eugenewoodbury.com/essay110.htm(emphasis added)
"A cold, self-righteous prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute."To which he adds, "Of course, it is better to be neither."
In his chapter "nice people or new men" where he spoke of it being easier for the camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven. He was thinking about how rich doesn't always mean physically rich. I think that ties in here.
Rick Warren is filling his church with "nice people" and not "new men." That's his message in a nutshell. Stroke their egos, get them in the door, and then do a classic "Bait and Switch" and see if they'll bite on the message when we tell them Jesus said
Luke 14:25-35 (New American Standard Bible) (emphasis added)
25Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them,26"(O)If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
27"Whoever does not carry his own cross [e.g. willing to be publicly seen and ridiculed like a condemned criminal with a death sentence] and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
28"For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? [we should give them ALL the information so that they can make an INFORMED DECISION - Rick Warren's tactics are taken right out of Planned Parenthood. What fellowship has light with darkness?]
29"Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him,
30saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
31"Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
32"Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
33"So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.
[and frankly, this is what Warren's church and all who follow his teachings are in danger of fulfilling:]
34"Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?
35"It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."